When Jakob’s car pulled into the drive, Fenella jumped up. Taylor breathed an audible sigh of relief. Magnus winked at her as Jean looked over. He put out his palms and mouthed, ‘What?’
‘You’re up to something,’ said Jean, waggling her finger.
‘Me?’ said Magnus.
‘Oh, yes. You might be the most charming of my three nephews, but you’re also the most trouble.’
‘I’m definitely not more trouble than Carl.’
‘Hmpf. You just hide it better.’
‘Would you like another cake?’ Taylor asked, lifting the plate and smiling at Jean.
‘Is that bribery?’
‘I… I’m not sure. Do I need to bribe you?’
‘Maybe. If you want me to keep your secret.’
‘What secret?’ said Magnus.
Jean chortled into her tea. ‘I have no idea but that reaction makes me wonder. I was only pulling your leg, but is there something I should know?’
‘Absolutely not,’ said Magnus. ‘You already know too much for your own good. Now, let’s go meet my brother.’ He got to his feet.
‘You’re going to leave me all alone?’ Jean grumbled.
‘You’ll be fine for two minutes,’ said Magnus. ‘Have a sherry or something.’
‘Oh, you cheeky boy.’
As Magnus closed the door, Taylor slumped against the wall. ‘Oh my god. Why did I agree to this?’
‘Agree?’ Magnus leaned over, flattening his hands to the wall and caging her in. ‘It was your idea, remember.’
‘Yes, I do. I must have lost my mind.’
‘Maybe, but there are some perks.’ He kissed her softly on the lips, holding it as long as he dared. Voices approached the front door. On the first creak, he pulled away and Taylor stood up straight. ‘Hey,’ he said, as his petite sister-in-law, Livvi, stepped into the hall with Fenella. ‘We were on our way out to meet you, let’s reverse, there’s more space in the living room.’
They backed into the room, and Magnus embraced Livvi. She returned it warmly before stepping back and flicking her long mane of caramel-toned hair over her shoulder. Sensing Taylor lurking behind him, Magnus took her hand and tugged her forward. Now wasn’t the time for hiding. When had she ever hidden? Actually having to drag Skylar Rousse into the limelight was wacky, much like everything else that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. And yet, here he was, hands on her shoulders, displaying her like a trophy. ‘This is Taylor. Taylor, Livvi. Aw, and what’s this?’ A tiny tot in a frilly pink skirt tottered in, distracting Magnus and bringing a smile to his lips. Jakob stooped behind the little princess, steering her in the right direction – though she seemed hellbent on going the opposite way. ‘She can walk now?’ Magnus cocked his head and his heart melted. His little niece, Polly, toddled straight for the dogs’ beds, giggling as the retriever sniffed her and the spaniels swept the floor with their crazy tails. Jakob hovered about, ready to pounce before either dog or child got overexcited.
‘Oh, gosh, yes,’ said Livvi, adjusting a row of gold bangles. ‘She’s into everything. And hello, Taylor, so pleased to meet you.’
‘You two will get on great,’ said Magnus. Livvi had that knack of being friends with anyone and Taylor had little choice, though he wondered if the inner Skylar would rebel at some point. ‘Livvi’s part-American too,’ he added, offering an incentive just in case.
‘Yes, but I don’t let on which part.’
‘Ha, very funny,’ said Magnus, stepping towards his brother and embracing him. ‘Hey, bro.’
‘You look familiar,’ said Livvi. Magnus froze, wondering where this would go. Livvi was above the age bracket of the average Skylar Rousse fan, but she had the vibe of someone who would enjoy glittery shows and slapstick romcoms with heroines who tripped over their own feet and landed on their boss’s shiny shoes. ‘Where are you from?’
‘California,’ said Taylor.
Livvi perked up. ‘Oh, I’ve been a couple of times, but my mother is from New York, so that’s where we tend to go.’
‘Is this the latest girl?’ Jakob muttered aside and gave a half smile in her direction. Half a smile was better than nothing for Jakob. He was the reserved one.
‘Yup.’
Livvi had moved onto another subject and thankfully nothing to do with Hollywood. Magnus waited for a gap in her monologue, then put his arm around Taylor and introduced her to Jakob who shook her hand.
‘You’re so alike,’ said Taylor, smiling between Jakob and Magnus. Magnus sent Jakob ‘the look’ – the one they traded every time someone told them they looked alike.
‘Yeah, we know,’ said Magnus. ‘Up until the age of about twenty, even Mum couldn’t tell us apart. Even now it’s touch and go, that’s why he started wearing glasses.’
‘Nice,’ muttered Jakob.
‘Oh, stop your nonsense, Magnus,’ said Fenella, gently removing the dog’s toy from little Polly and beaming at her. ‘All my boys look alike, and very handsome. Yes, you have a handsome daddy and two handsome uncles.’ Fenella tickled Polly, making her giggle.
‘She knows how to make us blush,’ said Magnus.
‘Aw, and she’s right,’ said Livvi taking Jakob’s arm.
Magnus looked away. This, this, this! This was exactly the reason he hated being the last one, the single one, the lonely one. Curse it. Anywhere else he could deal with it, but at home, it unleashed a green-eyed monster.
The last time he’d come home for an extended period he’d stupidly jumped straight into bed with Julie McNabb – not a smart move.
Catching his eye, Taylor piped up, ‘Oh, definitely. There’s a handsome gene in here.’ She poked Magnus in the tummy and smiled.
‘I know, and it’s mine,’ said Aunt Jean.
‘Yeah, course it is,’ said Magnus, but he wrapped Taylor into a hug. The knowledge this was fake tempered the heat spreading through his veins. Jean put two fingers to her mouth and pretended to wretch, more like a moody teenager than a nonagenarian. Magnus spotted his mum with her head tilted and a watery smile, and he released Taylor quickly. ‘So,’ he said, ‘shall we go for a walk before lunch? Taylor wants to learn to sail, don’t you?’
‘Er, yes…’ She flashed a wide grin and Magnus could have sworn a little star gleamed on her perfectly straight teeth, the Hollywood grin in action.
‘I’ll show you Dad’s boats. He’s got a sailing boat and a cruiser.’
Fenella stayed to make lunch but insisted they take the three dogs. The two spaniels and the old retriever bounded up at the sound of leads rattling. Jean grumbled about it being far too cold for anyone to walk anywhere. Taylor strolled ahead with Livvi. Magnus watched them chatting together while he discussed work with Jakob. The distraction of little Polly was difficult to ignore, especially as Jakob kept scooping her up mid-sentence, tickling her and cuddling her, then carrying her for a bit before letting her toddle off again. The dragon of envy was working overtime on Magnus, breathing hot waves of inadequacy, and lashing fear over him. Getting a cuddle from his niece and lavishing her with all the pretty things a well-off uncle could buy was fine, but he always maintained he didn’t want kids of his own. They didn’t fit his lifestyle, but seeing Jakob like this sent vicious surges of jealousy through his limbs. Weird and unbidden visions of being handed a tiny newborn baby reeled through his mind. The imagined pride swelled, then burst like a giant balloon when he remembered where he was. He gave his hair a determined rake.
The dogs leapt around the jetty, chasing each other up and down and back to the beach. Little Polly squirmed in Jakob’s arms, desperate to get down and join in the chase, but he jollied her along safely in his grip until they were on their father’s boat.
Magnus did the guided tour for Taylor and the sun lifted in the sky, casting a glittering reflection in the turquoise sea. Taylor ducked below deck and made all the right noises. Again, either her acting skills were top drawer, or her interest was genuine. The thought that it might be the latter puzz
led Magnus, but he clung to a little thread that it might be the case.
After they’d exhausted their praise and interest in the boats, they trudged onto the beach and threw stones.
‘You’ll never beat that,’ said Magnus after skimming his stone and counting twenty-two leaps.
‘I wouldn’t even try,’ muttered Jakob, holding Polly’s hand as she investigated the water’s edge.
‘I’m useless at it,’ said Livvi.
‘That just leaves me,’ said Taylor, picking up a stone and slinging it forward. Everyone laughed as it plunked straight in. ‘Ok. Definitely not my sport. But how about this?’ She skipped towards a rope swing dangling from the branch of a tree in the wooded area.
With some jiggling, she positioned herself on it and pushed off, soaring out over the sea. She squealed with delight. Magnus saw stars and his head swam as she got higher. Flying at giddy heights held no fear for him but something about this had his heart thumping in his mouth. Taylor scuffed her shoes along the ground, bringing the swing to a standstill. ‘That was awesome. Your turn.’ She pinged off and passed the rope to Magnus.
‘I’d probably break it these days.’
‘No way,’ said Jakob. ‘And even if you do, will you care? You used to jump off that thing into the sea.’
Magnus smirked. ‘Yeah, and so did you.’
‘I think I fell off it once,’ said Jakob, ‘but pretending I’d jumped seemed way cooler.’
‘Ok, why not? But if I break my neck, I’m suing you for damages,’ Magnus warned Taylor.
‘You better get yourself a mighty fine attorney then because you know who my father is.’
Magnus scrambled onto the swing with a cough.
‘Who is he?’ asked Livvi.
‘Oh… No one. I was joking.’
Magnus rotated his shoulders, sizing up the swing, then leapt on and swung high above the sea, grinning as Jakob and Taylor took photos on their phones. As he jumped off, he leaned down to little Polly and clapped her cheeks. ‘You don’t do that until you’re much much bigger, little lady.’
Livvi laughed. ‘She’s only one.’
‘Exactly, never too young to learn about health and safety.’
Jakob let out a snort. ‘Says the uncle who… Well, never mind.’ He glanced at Taylor.
‘Wise move, little bro,’ said Magnus. ‘Let’s not tell the ladies about my youthful misdemeanours.’
‘Yeah, or the adult ones.’
‘Definitely not them.’
Food called and they wandered back to the bungalow. Fenella had set out a buffet-style lunch on her mismatched china, making it shabby chic and homely.
‘This is gorgeous,’ said Livvi.
‘Totally,’ Taylor agreed.
She was acing this. Magnus grabbed a plate and chatted with Jakob and Livvi. Taylor caught his eye and they passed a smile that the others would easily have taken for a loving glance but both of them knew to be code for: we’ve got this in the bag. From the sofa, Fenella checked up from the book she was reading to Polly and beamed at Magnus, her expression full of delight. Magnus sipped his coffee. Was this so wrong? Giving his mum something to smile about? Even if it was only for a day or two.
The weird clock on the living room wall whirred and clanked before striking five, and a few minutes later, Magnus’s father came in dressed in his overalls. Per Hansen had given his sons his blond curls, but his had turned white. Magnus would have his head shaved if his hair ever got that wild and fluffy. His dad’s eyes twinkled, couple that with the hair and he looked slightly crazed.
After greeting the assembled company, he came to Taylor and shook her hand warmly. ‘So pleased you made it.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I’ll hear all your stories shortly,’ he said, still holding her hand. ‘But I should get cleaned up.’
‘You should have done that before you came in,’ muttered Jean. ‘But you Scandinavians have your own way of doing things. We warned Fenella about that right from the start.’
Fenella frowned. ‘Jean, I married him nearly forty years ago, it’s a bit late to change my mind now.’ She rolled her eyes at Taylor and tapped the top of her forehead with her index finger. ‘She’s cuckoo sometimes,’ she whispered.
‘We should head off,’ said Jakob. ‘It’s quite a drive to Carsaig.’
Magnus was keen to see Carl and Robyn’s renovations to their new home but not enough that he wanted to spend the week there. Sure, their house was roomier than this one, but it would be nice for his mum to have at least one of her children staying with her, and Magnus was ready to take one for the team. Of course, in reality, Fenella wouldn’t have given a damn where Magnus chose to stay. But watching the scenes of domestic bliss on display from his brothers was about as appealing as watching a colonoscopy on repeat for forty-eight hours while being force-fed calf’s liver and pickled gherkins. Screw it. He couldn’t handle a week of having to smile and congratulate them on their happiness at every turn while he lay sprawling on a dusty shelf like a capsized woodlouse.
Once Jakob had left and Per had disappeared into the shower, the house fell quiet. Fenella bustled around as they cleared away the plates and crockery, reliving the day and telling Taylor funny stories about children in her class. Jean fell asleep and Magnus took to brooding, only half listening. When Fenella and Taylor left the room together, he didn’t follow to find out the reason, in case he was supposed to know already. Instead, he picked up one of his dad’s sailing books and read it to the accompanying snores from Jean. But the words weren’t going in. What might have beens and what ifs buzzed around his head like a cloud of midges. His heart lay divided between enjoying life as it was and wanting more. A more he couldn’t easily achieve.
It felt like they’d only just eaten but, not long after six-thirty, Fenella pulled out the mince and tatties for dinner. Magnus could barely conceal his laugh at the expression on Taylor’s face.
‘It’s the Scottish staple diet,’ he said.
‘Oh gosh,’ Fenella said. ‘I didn’t actually ask if you liked it. Would you like me to get you something else?’
Taylor shook her head, gingerly scraping up a tiny bit of mince and placing it into her mouth. Magnus winked.
‘Mmm, it’s quite nice,’ said Taylor. ‘A lot better than greasy chips.’
‘Just wait until she serves you haggis or black pudding.’
‘I’m getting an education anyway.’ Taylor smiled at Fenella. ‘Thank you for having me and going to so much effort.’
Fenella flapped her hands, swatting away the words. ‘Honestly, it’s no trouble. I’m just sorry we can’t offer you much entertainment. About the most exciting thing we have are a few old board games. Or you can watch TV if you’d rather.’
Magnus held in his groan – just. This was why going to Carl’s would have been more sensible. At least he could have got smashed and drowned out everything else. Somehow that wasn’t an option in his mum’s house.
‘Let’s play the games,’ said Taylor. ‘It sounds fun.’
After they’d eaten, Fenella pulled out some boxes, including Frustration, Cluedo and about a hundred-year-old Trivial Pursuit.
‘At least it isn’t Monopoly,’ muttered Magnus. ‘I detest that game.’
‘I thought you’d love it,’ Taylor said. ‘Don’t you always win?’
‘He certainly does not,’ said Jean.
‘This Trivial Pursuit must be at least twenty years old,’ said Fenella, opening the box.
‘I was six when it came out then.’ Taylor giggled.
‘Are you only twenty-six?’ said Fenella, shooting Magnus a look.
He adjusted his neckline. Yeah, she was young. But the Hollywood lifestyle gave her maturity beyond her years. Though he’d seen her youthful vulnerability too. Or was he being an out-and-out idiot? He reached for the quiz box. ‘Actually, I think this game is older than twenty years. You should know all the answers,’ he said to Jean. ‘You’re the only one who was alive
when these things happened.’
Fenella pulled out a card. ‘The first question is about Aristotle.’
‘My point in a nutshell,’ said Magnus.
Taylor’s laughter increased as the evening went on and she relaxed. Magnus rested his hand on her thigh and squeezed it with a little wink. Twenty-six or not, she was his, at least for the week, and her smile made his chest swell with warmth.
When they finally wound up for the night, they let Taylor use the bathroom first.
‘Sorry, the perils of a small house,’ said Fenella. ‘Only one bathroom, though we do have a little cloakroom if you’re desperate.’
‘I don’t mind, it’s all so cute. And thanks, thank you so much.’
‘Oh, you’re so welcome,’ said Fenella. ‘I’m sorry if it seems a bit primitive.’
‘Not at all, it’s so cosy and such awesome fun.’ Taylor beamed as she left the room and Magnus finished putting away the quiz cards.
He heard the bathroom door click shut.
‘She’s a sweetheart,’ said Fenella. ‘I like her a lot. Even if she is very young.’
‘She’s not that young,’ muttered Magnus.
Fenella lifted the games boxes. ‘I’m not criticising. She’s a lovely girl. I hope she’s the one this time.’
‘Mum, let’s not do this,’ said Magnus. ‘We’ve only been together a very short time, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.’
‘I’m not. I just want you to be happy.’
‘I am. I don’t need anyone else to make me happy. I can be perfectly happy on my own.’
‘Oh, fiddlesticks,’ said Jean. ‘You talk a lot of nonsense, young man.’
‘Right, well, I’m off to bed. You two can talk about me amongst yourselves once I’m out of the room.’
‘We wouldn’t,’ said Fenella as he leaned in a placed a kiss on her forehead.
‘Goodnight, Mum.’
‘We will,’ said Jean.
‘And goodnight, Jean.’
‘Sleep well,’ said Per.
‘And you,’ said Magnus, stretching and heading for the bedroom. He scrolled through his phone, answering some messages and laughing at some silly videos on his friends’ WhatsApp chat. The door dragged across the carpet as Taylor came in, wrapped in a towel. Magnus imagined unravelling it and coiling her into his arms. But he didn’t want to waste time. Snooze too long in this house and someone else would nip into the bathroom first.
A Flight of Fancy (Scottish Island Escapes Book 6) Page 9